Kazakhstan Visa-Free Countries: Full List & Rules

Visa rules change frequently. Verify current requirements at the Kazakhstan MFA website or your nearest embassy before traveling.

Visa question	Quick answer
Who should read this first?	Any traveler checking whether they can enter Kazakhstan without a visa.
What matters most	Passport nationality, stay length, entry purpose, and current official rules.
Planning rule	Confirm the latest rule before booking, especially for long stays or non-tourism trips.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the April 2026 MFA table lists 87 ordinary-passport visa-free country and territory entries for Kazakhstan. The list includes the United States, all EU member states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, and the UAE. The longest ordinary-passport stay is 90 days; most Western and high-volume tourism markets receive 30 days.

Kazakhstan operates one of the most generous visa-free regimes in Central Asia. Since the government began expanding access in 2017, the country has made short visits simple for most Western, Gulf, East Asian, and post-Soviet travelers. Whether you are planning a short city break in Almaty, a road trip across the steppe, or a business meeting in Astana, this guide covers every visa-free country and territory entry, duration allowed, registration rules, and what to do if your country is not on the list.

Looking to book your trip? Start with our guide to flights to Kazakhstan for airlines, routes, and prices.

How We Count Visa-Free Entries

This page counts ordinary civil passport entries in the MFA table's N column, not diplomatic passports, service passports, or sovereign states only. That matters because the official table includes country and territory rows such as Hong Kong, Macao, and Vatican. It also means the headline number can differ from older English summaries that counted only countries or used an outdated snapshot. The current verified basis is 195 MFA rows, 87 ordinary-passport visa-free entries, and 108 rows requiring an e-visa or consular visa.

Complete List of Kazakhstan Visa-Free Countries

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the country grants ordinary-passport visa-free entry based on bilateral agreements, government decrees, and regional treaties. The full data page is Kazakhstan visa-free countries 2026, with a downloadable CSV.

90 Days

Azerbaijan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, San Marino, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

60 and 28 Days

Dominican Republic receives 60 days. Barbados receives 28 days.

30 Days

Australia, Austria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Vatican, United Kingdom, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, China, Colombia, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Thailand, Philippines, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Ecuador, Estonia, and Japan.

14 Days

Hong Kong, India, Iran, and Macao.

How Long Can You Stay Visa-Free in Kazakhstan?

The duration of your visa-free stay depends on your nationality and the specific agreement between your country and Kazakhstan.

Standard visa-free stay (most countries): 30 calendar days per entry. You do not need to apply in advance, pay any fee, or register at an embassy. Simply arrive at any international airport or land border crossing with a valid passport.

90-day entries: Azerbaijan and Armenia are listed as 90 days within a 180-day period. Other 90-day rows include Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and several non-CIS countries.

Maximum cumulative stay: For the 30-day visa-free countries, you are limited to 90 days total within any 180-day rolling period. This means you cannot simply exit and re-enter to reset the clock indefinitely. Border officers track entry and exit stamps, and overstaying results in fines, deportation, and potential entry bans.

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Most immigration lawyers recommend at least 6 months of remaining validity to avoid any issues at the border.

The 5-Day Registration Rule

One of the most misunderstood aspects of visiting Kazakhstan is the migration registration requirement.

If you stay longer than 5 business days, your host or hotel must register you with the migration police through the eGov.kz portal. This is not something you do yourself. It is the responsibility of whoever is providing your accommodation.

Here is how it works in practice:

• Hotels and hostels register you automatically at check-in. You do not need to do anything beyond providing your passport and migration card.
• Private accommodation (staying with friends, renting an apartment via Airbnb) means the property owner or landlord must register you at the local migration police office or through the eGov.kz portal within 3 business days of your arrival.
• Failure to register can result in fines of 53,000–106,000 KZT ($105–210) and complications when leaving the country.

Important exception: If your total stay is 5 business days or fewer, no registration is required at all. Weekend days and public holidays do not count toward the 5-day threshold.

To avoid problems, keep your hotel receipts and registration confirmation slips. If you are staying in a private apartment, confirm with the host that they have completed registration before the deadline passes.

For practical tips on navigating daily life during your stay, see our guide to things to do in Kazakhstan.

E-Visa Countries: Who Qualifies?

If your country is not on the visa-free list, you may still qualify for Kazakhstan's electronic visa (e-visa) system. According to Wikipedia's overview of Kazakhstan's visa policy, the e-visa was introduced in 2019 and has significantly simplified entry for dozens of additional nationalities.

How the Kazakhstan E-Visa Works

• Apply online at evisa.e.gov.kz
• Processing time: 5–7 business days (apply at least 2 weeks before travel)
• Cost: $52–70 USD depending on visa type
• Validity: Single entry, valid for 30 days from issue date
• Stay duration: Up to 30 days
• Types available: Tourism (C1), Business (C2), Medical Treatment (C3)

Countries Eligible for E-Visa

The e-visa is available to citizens of many countries that do not have visa-free access. Notable e-visa eligible examples include:

• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Egypt
• Tunisia
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Peru
• Costa Rica

Documents Required for E-Visa

1. Scanned color copy of passport (data page)
2. Digital passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background)
3. Hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter
4. Return flight ticket or onward travel proof
5. Bank statement showing sufficient funds (approximately $100 per day of stay)
6. Online payment (Visa or Mastercard)

The e-visa is delivered as a PDF to your email. Print it and carry it with your passport. Airlines will check for the e-visa at boarding.

Visa on Arrival: Does Kazakhstan Offer It?

Kazakhstan does not offer a traditional visa-on-arrival program for most nationalities. Unlike some Southeast Asian countries, you cannot simply show up at the airport and purchase a visa at a desk.

However, there are two exceptions:

1. Short transit stays. Transit rules can still matter for travelers who are not entering Kazakhstan as regular visitors, but China and India are already listed in the April 2026 MFA ordinary-passport table: China receives 30 days and India receives 14 days.

2. Special circumstances. In rare cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can authorize emergency visa issuance at the border, but this requires advance coordination with a sponsoring organization inside Kazakhstan and is not a reliable option for regular tourists.

For the vast majority of travelers, if you need a visa and are not visa-free, the e-visa is the correct route.

Transit Visa Rules for Kazakhstan

If you are simply passing through Kazakhstan to reach another destination, the rules depend on whether you leave the airport transit zone.

Staying in the transit zone (airside):

• No visa required for any nationality if you do not pass through immigration
• Maximum 24 hours between connecting flights
• Available at Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ) airports

Leaving the airport during transit:

• If your country is visa-free, you can exit and re-enter the airport within your allowed stay
• If your country requires a visa, you need either an e-visa or the 72-hour transit exemption (China and India only at Astana and Almaty)
• Keep your boarding pass for the onward flight as proof of transit

Overland transit:

• If you are driving or taking a train through Kazakhstan to reach another country (common for routes between Russia and Uzbekistan), you need a visa unless your country has visa-free access
• There is no separate "transit visa" category; you use a standard tourist visa or e-visa

For information on airports and domestic connections, see our guide to Kazakhstan airports.

How to Extend Your Stay Beyond 30 Days

If you arrive visa-free and want to stay longer than your allowed 30 days, you have several options:

1. Apply for a Visa Extension

Visit the Migration Police office (or the Public Service Center / "TsON") in the city where you are registered. You need:

• Passport with valid entry stamp
• Migration card (issued at the border)
• Proof of registration
• Reason for extension (medical, family, business)
• Payment of the extension fee (approximately 8,500 KZT / $17)

Extensions are not guaranteed. They are typically granted for medical emergencies, pending business matters, or force majeure situations. "I want to travel more" is generally not accepted as a valid reason.

2. Exit and Re-Enter

The simplest option for many travelers is to leave Kazakhstan (commonly to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, or Russia) and re-enter for a fresh 30-day period. However, remember the 90-day-in-180-day rule: if you have already spent 60 days in Kazakhstan across multiple visits in the past 180 days, you only have 30 more days available.

Popular border crossings for visa runs:

• Almaty to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan): 4–5 hours by shared taxi, one of the most common visa-run routes
• Shymkent to Tashkent (Uzbekistan): 2–3 hours by shared taxi
• Astana or Almaty to any Russian city by air: Multiple daily flights

3. Apply for a Long-Stay Visa

If you plan to stay for business, study, or work, apply for the appropriate visa category through the e-visa portal or at a Kazakhstan embassy before your visa-free period expires. Categories include:

• C4, Journalism
• C5, Religious activities
• B1–B10, Work permits (employer sponsorship required)
• D1–D5, Residency-based visas

What If Your Country Is Not on the Visa-Free List?

If your nationality is not among the 87 ordinary-passport visa-free country and territory entries and you are not eligible for an e-visa, here is your step-by-step process:

1. Check the e-visa portal at evisa.e.gov.kz. Enter your nationality to see all available options.
2. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate. Apply for a sticker visa in your passport.
3. Obtain an invitation letter (LOI). For business or private visits, a registered Kazakh organization or individual must issue an invitation through the migration police.
4. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel. Embassy processing takes 2-4 weeks.
5. Prepare documentation: passport, photos, application form, invitation letter, proof of funds, travel insurance, hotel booking

Visa fees at embassies vary by country but typically range from $50 to $120 for a single-entry tourist visa.

If you are deciding whether the trip is worth the visa process, our guide on is Kazakhstan safe for travel can help you weigh the decision.

Best Time to Visit Kazakhstan Visa-Free

Once you confirm your visa-free status, timing your trip well makes a significant difference in your experience.

• May to June. Ideal for steppe wildflowers, pleasant temperatures (18-25C), and fewer crowds.
• September to October. Golden autumn in the mountains, warm days, crisp nights, perfect for hiking.
• July to August. Peak season, hot in cities (35C+), but best for mountain trekking and lake visits.
• December to February. Skiing at Shymbulak near Almaty, but temperatures can drop to -30C in Astana.

The visa-free 30-day window is more than enough for a comprehensive tour of Kazakhstan's highlights. For detailed seasonal planning, see our guide on the best time to visit Kazakhstan.

Summary: Kazakhstan Visa-Free Countries at a Glance

Category	Entries	Stay Duration
90-day ordinary-passport rows	16	90 days
60-day ordinary-passport rows	1	60 days
30-day ordinary-passport rows	65	30 days
28-day ordinary-passport rows	1	28 days
14-day ordinary-passport rows	4	14 days
Visa required rows	108	e-visa or consular visa

Total visa-free ordinary-passport entries: 87 | Total MFA rows: 195

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries can visit Kazakhstan without a visa?

The April 2026 Kazakhstan MFA table lists 87 ordinary-passport visa-free country and territory entries out of 195 MFA rows. The standard stay is 30 days for 65 entries, while 16 entries receive 90 days, 1 receives 60 days, 1 receives 28 days, and 4 receive 14 days.

Do US citizens need a visa for Kazakhstan?

No. US citizens can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days per visit. No advance application or fee is required. Simply arrive with a valid passport. The 90-day-in-180-day cumulative limit applies, and registration is required if staying more than 5 business days.

What is the 5-day registration rule in Kazakhstan?

If you stay in Kazakhstan for more than 5 business days, your hotel or host must register you with the migration police. Hotels do this automatically at check-in. For private accommodation such as Airbnb, the property owner must register you through the local migration office or eGov.kz portal within 3 business days.

Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay in Kazakhstan?

Extensions are possible through the Migration Police office but are only granted for valid reasons such as medical emergencies or pending business. The easiest alternative is to exit to a neighboring country like Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan and re-enter for a fresh 30-day period, subject to the 90-day-in-180-day cumulative limit.

Does Kazakhstan offer visa on arrival?

Kazakhstan does not offer a standard visa-on-arrival program. China is listed as 30-day visa-free and India as 14-day visa-free in the April 2026 MFA ordinary-passport table. Other nationalities needing a visa should apply for an e-visa online or a sticker visa at a Kazakhstan embassy before travel.

What happens if I overstay my visa-free period in Kazakhstan?

Overstaying in Kazakhstan results in fines starting from 53,000 KZT (approximately $105), potential detention, deportation at your own expense, and a possible entry ban for 1 to 5 years. Border officers check stamps carefully at exit, so even a single day of overstay can trigger penalties.

Last verified: May 18, 2026 against the Russian MFA table dated April 28, 2026.